June 21, 2026
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt 10:26-33

Today is the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel passage taken from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew gives us the Lord’s teaching concerning the proclamation of the Christian faith. I wish to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

In our daily lives, we constantly interact with others. Among those with whom we associate are some who have received a fine education. For instance, during our years of study, our teachers—who imparted to us various skills and abilities for survival—were like bright lamps on our life’s journey, enabling us to subsist in this shifting world of change. Likewise, when we gather as families, our relatives—bound to us by ties of flesh and blood—often care for us deeply, showing concern in ways they deem fitting. Similarly, when we enter the workplace, we frequently interact with our colleagues and superiors. When dealing with them, we often speak many flattering words, and even when we see them perhaps going astray, we refrain from correcting them, for we are unwilling to provoke greater trouble by doing so. Whenever such thoughts arise, we fall into the snares of the devil, for the devil speaks only pleasing words, deceiving others and hindering them from coming to Christ.

Today, Jesus encourages us: “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (cf. Mt 10:27). He invites us to boldly proclaim the true doctrine to the world. Even should we encounter opposition from the world and face considerable resistance, we must still proclaim, for where the Gospel reaches, the devil and his powers are utterly unable to withstand it.

But how ought we to proclaim? If we continue to preach in the manner of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, it shows that we have not truly embraced the teaching of Jesus, for our instruction originates from those who preach to us. To become children of God, we must believe that we are made in God’s own image (cf. Gn 1:26-27). He has given us all that He created, commanding us to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it, and to have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living creature that moves upon the earth (cf. Gn 1:28). Our lives are precious because the Son of God, through the sufferings He endured on the Cross, atoned for our sins and restored to us the life of God’s children. When we received the holy Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, our corruptible life was united with His incorruptible life, so that His eternal life might fill us and make us children of God.

Having received His Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we must profess His Name before the world and acknowledge that we are Christians, disciples of Jesus. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ will surely acknowledge us before His Heavenly Father (cf. Mt 10:32-33).

Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica